It appears that the summer has finally arrived in Marysville — unfortunately, just in time to see the days getting shorter.
But shorter days don’t mean you’re losing time to enjoy some of the many summer special events, activities, and recreational opportunities that Marysville has in store for you this season. The city of Marysville and our first-rate Parks and Recreation Department provide a multitude of ideas to fill up your family calendar.
In this column, I want to give you just a taste of what this summer has to offer in Marysville, starting with this week.
Marysville’s music and movies in the park give you two ways to spend your summer nights. Our annual Sounds of Summer Concert Series sponsored by The Cottages of Marysville kicks off at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 13, in the Jennings Memorial Park Lions Centennial Pavilion featuring the rock and roll and blues sounds of Shameless Hussy. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, fill a cooler and put the sounds of music in your summer. The Popcorn in the Parks outdoor movie series sponsored by Waste Management NW continues on Saturday, July 14, at dusk on the Jennings Park ball field with a showing of the Happy Feet 2. This is just one of the great, entertaining family films over seven weeks that you can enjoy under the stars, while you nibble on free popcorn provided courtesy of the Marysville Kiwanis Club.
If you have a house full of treasures to get rid of, bring them to Junk in the Trunk, the ultimate flea market on Saturday, July 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Marysville Municipal Court. This flea market on wheels sold out last year, and features participants pulling into their double-wide parking space, and displaying their wares and knickknacks with browsers. Food and music add to a festive atmosphere.
If you want to get your dog involved in the day’s activities, trek out to Strawberry Fields Park July 14 and spend the day at the Sixth Annual Poochapalooza outdoor dog event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Strawberry Fields. Poochapalooza is a day for the dogs, hosted by the Marysville Dog Owners Group, the nonprofit group that maintains Strawberry Fields for Rover Off-Leash Park. The day includes the popular Fashions and Rescues Runway Show, fun contests and pie-eating competitions to enter your dog in, dancing dogs, Flyball, scent demonstrations, canine good citizen testing, food, music and more than four dozen vendors, with all proceeds going to support off-leash park needs.
If you and your dog need even more entertainment, don’t miss the Fifth Annual Scrub-a-Mutt on Saturday, Aug. 18, another outstanding event in Marysville at Strawberry Fields, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s like a day at the spa for Rover, with dog washing stations, nail trimming, pet vendors, demonstrations, and much more. Proceeds benefit area rescue groups.
The city of Marysville, through its dedicated Parks and Recreation Department director, staff and crew, has put together an incredible series of community activities, classes and summer camps that ensure you won’t have to look far to find something that appeals to your creative or adventurous side. They offer plenty of community recreational opportunities to entertain just about any age group.
Summer Camps, Day Camps, Mini Camps, Skate Camp, Kung Fu Camp, Rock Band Camps and a Summer Tunes Camp for young student musicians not ready to put down their instrument for the summer are just a few ways that your kids and teens can get inspired and have fun making new friends this summer. Many of our camps have your busy schedule and pocketbook in mind. Summer Day Camps for ages 7-11, sponsored in partnership with the Marysville School District, are structured so that your child can join for a week, or pick and choose as many as you want. Sports Camps are also a popular option for active youth, such as tennis and basketball, but visit the city website at www.marysvillewa.gov for information or pick up our Summer Parks and Recreation Activities Guide, since a few have already started.
For adults, consider joining in community athletics. Dust off those cleats or bring out the old glove or racket and consider participating in our softball or kickball leagues, tennis classes, or get fit through one of our many running and fitness classes.
If you’re a golfer, or considering taking up the sport, visit Cedarcrest Golf Course to experience some of the best greens in the area. Whether you want join up with a group, bring a team, start a league in the middle the week, or host a corporate or fundraising tournament, Cedarcrest Golf Course can accommodate.
It has been said recently that summer is a time to rest, a time to recharge and to become more physically active. That fits our community’s goals through the Healthy Communities initiative that over the past several years has pledged to reverse the damaging trends of obesity and related chronic diseases through promoting more physical activity and free to low-cost recreational opportunities. When we as individuals are healthy, our communities are healthy — and that gives us the ability to thrive.
Marysville is graced with 435 acres of beautiful parks and open spaces, with some areas interconnected by walking trails and paths, fitness stations, or walking loops that use distance markers to help you measure your performance. A more walkable Marysville is one of my priorities in our community.
These many summer special events, activities and recreational opportunities provide something fun for everyone. I encourage you to make the commitment and get active this summer by enjoying all that Marysville has to offer.
Mayor Jon Nehring can be reached at mayor@marysvillewa.gov or 360-363-8091.
